The possibility of a volcanic eruption in Iceland is increasing, posing a danger to the town of Grindavík, which has been evacuated as a precautionary measure. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has declared a state of emergency and warned of a significant risk of eruption. Experts believe that an eruption could occur at any time in the next few days. Professor Thor Thordason, a volcanology expert, stated that there is an active 15km-long river of magma under the Reykjanes peninsula, with the most likely eruption site being within the boundaries of Grindavík.
In recent weeks, thousands of tremors have been recorded around the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, which had been dormant for 800 years before the eruption in 2021. The IMO reported that a magma tunnel extending across Grindavík and further inland was estimated to be at a depth of less than 800 meters. As a result of increased seismic activity, the nearby Blue Lagoon landmark was closed, and more than 20,000 tremors have been recorded in southwest Iceland since late October.
The decision to evacuate Grindavík was made after the IMO could not rule out the possibility of a magma tunnel reaching the town. However, authorities have emphasized that it is not an emergency evacuation and have urged residents to remain calm. All roads into the town are closed except for emergencies. People are allowed to return briefly to gather essential items and pets. Journalist Alda Sigmundsdottir reported that residents are waiting for the eruption to begin.
Iceland is known for its high geological activity, with around 30 active volcanic sites. Volcanic eruptions occur when magma rises to the earth’s surface from deep below. In July, the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted, attracting tourists to witness the “world’s newest baby volcano.” The site had been dormant for eight centuries before the recent eruptions in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Original news source: Iceland volcano: Emergency declared over volcano Fagradalsfjall eruption concerns (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Students will work in pairs to summarize the article in their own words, focusing on the who, what, where, when, and why. Each pair will then present their summary to the class, and the class will discuss any differing points or interesting angles that were mentioned.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Conduct an opinion poll in the classroom where students must stand along a line according to their opinion on the question: “Should residents of areas prone to natural disasters be relocated permanently?” One end of the line represents ‘strongly agree’, the other ‘strongly disagree’, and the middle is ‘neutral/unsure’. After students position themselves, select individuals to explain their stance.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Students will be asked to draw a scene described in the article (such as the evacuation of Grindavík or the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupting) without using any words or numbers. Afterward, they will show their sketches to their classmates, who will guess what part of the article the drawing represents.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Students will imagine they are one year in the future and write a short article or news report about the consequences of the volcanic eruption in Iceland. They should consider the impacts on the town, the environment, and tourism. They will then share their predictions with the class and discuss the likelihood of these scenarios.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Set a timer for 2 minutes and challenge students to write a quick summary of the article, hitting all the key points. After the time is up, students will pair up to read their summaries to each other and discuss any important information that was missed or if anything unnecessary was included.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the current state of emergency declared by the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) in relation to?
2. Where is the most likely eruption site according to Professor Thor Thordason?
3. How long had the Fagradalsfjall volcano been dormant before its eruption in 2021?
4. What is the depth of the magma tunnel that extends across Grindavík, as reported by the IMO?
5. What precautionary measure has been taken in response to the increased seismic activity near the Blue Lagoon landmark?
6. Why was the decision to evacuate the town of Grindavík made?
7. What are residents of Grindavík allowed to do after the evacuation?
8. How many times has the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted since it awoke from its eight-century dormancy?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The possibility of a (1)______ eruption in Iceland is increasing, posing a danger to the town of Grindavík, which has been evacuated as a (2)______ measure. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has declared a state of emergency and warned of a (3)______ risk of eruption. Experts believe that an eruption could occur at any time in the next few days. Professor Thor Thordason, a volcanology expert, stated that there is an active 15km-long (4)______ of magma under the Reykjanes peninsula, with the most (5)______ eruption site being within the boundaries of (6)______.
In recent weeks, thousands of tremors have been recorded around the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland’s (7)______ Peninsula, which had been dormant for 800 years before the eruption in 2021. The IMO reported that a magma tunnel extending across Grindavík and further inland was estimated to be at a depth of less than 800 meters. As a result of increased seismic (8)______, the nearby Blue Lagoon landmark was closed, and more than 20,000 tremors have been (9)______ in (10)______ Iceland since late October.
The decision to evacuate Grindavík was made after the IMO could not rule out the possibility of a magma tunnel reaching the town. However, authorities have emphasized that it is not an emergency evacuation and have urged (11)______ to remain calm. All roads into the town are closed except for (12)______. People are allowed to return briefly to gather essential items and pets. Journalist Alda Sigmundsdottir reported that residents are (13)______ for the eruption to begin.
Iceland is (14)______ for its high geological activity, with around 30 active volcanic sites. Volcanic eruptions occur when magma rises to the earth’s surface from deep below. In July, the Fagradalsfjall (15)______ erupted, attracting tourists to (16)______ the “world’s newest baby volcano.” The site had been dormant for eight centuries before the recent eruptions in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your understanding of the term “state of emergency,” and how would you feel if your local area was declared to be in one?
2. How would you react if you were asked to evacuate your town due to a potential natural disaster?
3. Do you think living near a volcano is worth the risk for the natural beauty and resources it might provide? Why or why not?
4. What precautions do you think should be taken by communities living near active volcanic sites?
5. Have you ever experienced an earthquake or similar natural tremor? If so, how did it affect your perspective on natural disasters?
6. How do you think a town should prepare for the possibility of a volcanic eruption?
7. In your opinion, what are the psychological effects of waiting for a natural disaster, such as a volcanic eruption, to occur?
8. Do you think the media plays a positive or negative role in how people respond to natural disaster warnings? Why?
9. How important do you believe it is for tourists to be able to witness natural events like volcanic eruptions, and should this be encouraged?
10. What is your stance on the balance between tourism and safety in areas with natural hazards like volcanoes?
11. Do you like the idea of visiting a site with recent volcanic activity, such as the “world’s newest baby volcano,” and why or why not?
12. How would you feel about scientists who work in dangerous conditions to monitor volcanic activity and protect the public?
13. Do you think advancements in technology have significantly improved our ability to predict and respond to volcanic eruptions? Why or why not?
14. How should authorities communicate with the public about the risks and safety measures associated with volcanic eruptions?
15. What is your opinion on keeping pets in areas prone to natural disasters, and what measures should pet owners take in such scenarios?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. eruption
2. danger
3. evacuation
4. magma
5. seismic
6. dormant
7. volcanic
8. peninsula
Meanings:
(a) Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface
(b) Relating to or caused by earthquakes
(c) Inactive or not currently erupting
(d) The act of a volcano releasing lava
(e) The process of leaving a place for safety
(f) A potential harm or risk
(g) Relating to or produced by a volcano
(h) A piece of land surrounded by water on three sides
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the reason for the evacuation of the town of Grindavík in Iceland?
(a) Flooding
(b) Earthquake
(c) The possibility of a volcanic eruption
(d) Tsunami
2. How long had the Fagradalsfjall volcano been dormant before the eruption in 2021?
(a) 100 years
(b) 500 years
(c) 200 years
(d) 800 years
3. How many active volcanic sites are there in Iceland?
(a) Around 50
(b) Around 30
(c) Around 10
(d) Around 70
4. What is the most likely location for the eruption in Iceland?
(a) Grindavík
(b) Reykjavik
(c) Blue Lagoon
(d) Fagradalsfjall
5. How many tremors have been recorded in southwest Iceland since late October?
(a) More than 10,000
(b) More than 5,000
(c) More than 30,000
(d) More than 20,000
6. What is the depth of the magma tunnel extending across Grindavík?
(a) Less than 800 meters
(b) More than 1,000 meters
(c) Less than 500 meters
(d) More than 2,000 meters
7. What landmark was closed due to increased seismic activity?
(a) Geysir
(b) Blue Lagoon
(c) Gullfoss
(d) Thingvellir
8. What is the current state of emergency declared by the Icelandic Meteorological Office?
(a) Flooding
(b) Earthquake
(c) Significant risk of eruption
(d) Tsunami
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. There is an active 15km-long river of magma under the Reykjanes peninsula.
2. Experts believe that an eruption could occur at any time in the next few days.
3. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has declared a state of emergency.
4. The town of Grindavík has not been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
5. The decision to evacuate Grindavík was made after the possibility of a magma tunnel reaching the town was ruled out.
6. Thousands of tremors have been recorded around the Fagradalsfjall volcano in recent weeks.
7. The possibility of a volcanic eruption in Iceland is decreasing.
8. The most likely eruption site is outside the boundaries of Grindavík.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What specific geological feature under the Reykjanes peninsula has been identified by Professor Thor Thordason, and what is its significance?
2. How has the Icelandic Meteorological Office responded to the increased seismic activity in the region?
3. What measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the residents of Grindavík?
4. What is the historical significance of the Fagradalsfjall volcano’s recent eruptions?
5. How has the potential volcanic eruption affected the Blue Lagoon landmark and the local community?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is the current state of emergency declared by the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) in relation to?
The state of emergency is related to the increasing possibility of a volcanic eruption in Iceland, posing a danger to the town of Grindavík.
2. Where is the most likely eruption site according to Professor Thor Thordason?
The most likely eruption site is within the boundaries of Grindavík.
3. How long had the Fagradalsfjall volcano been dormant before its eruption in 2021?
The Fagradalsfjall volcano had been dormant for 800 years before its eruption in 2021.
4. What is the depth of the magma tunnel that extends across Grindavík, as reported by the IMO?
The magma tunnel extending across Grindavík is at a depth of less than 800 meters.
5. What precautionary measure has been taken in response to the increased seismic activity near the Blue Lagoon landmark?
The Blue Lagoon landmark was closed as a precautionary measure.
6. Why was the decision to evacuate the town of Grindavík made?
The decision to evacuate Grindavík was made because the IMO could not rule out the possibility of a magma tunnel reaching the town.
7. What are residents of Grindavík allowed to do after the evacuation?
Residents are allowed to return briefly to gather essential items and pets.
8. How many times has the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted since it awoke from its eight-century dormancy?
The Fagradalsfjall volcano has erupted three times since it awoke from its eight-century dormancy, with eruptions in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) volcanic
(2) precautionary
(3) significant
(4) river
(5) likely
(6) Grindavík
(7) Reykjanes
(8) activity
(9) recorded
(10) southwest
(11) residents
(12) emergencies
(13) waiting
(14) known
(15) volcano
(16) witness
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. eruption
Answer: (d) The act of a volcano releasing lava
2. danger
Answer: (f) A potential harm or risk
3. evacuation
Answer: (e) The process of leaving a place for safety
4. magma
Answer: (a) Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface
5. seismic
Answer: (b) Relating to or caused by earthquakes
6. dormant
Answer: (c) Inactive or not currently erupting
7. volcanic
Answer: (g) Relating to or produced by a volcano
8. peninsula
Answer: (h) A piece of land surrounded by water on three sides
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is the reason for the evacuation of the town of Grindavík in Iceland?
Answer: (c) The possibility of a volcanic eruption
2. How long had the Fagradalsfjall volcano been dormant before the eruption in 2021?
Answer: (d) 800 years
3. How many active volcanic sites are there in Iceland?
Answer: (b) Around 30
4. What is the most likely location for the eruption in Iceland?
Answer: (a) Grindavík
5. How many tremors have been recorded in southwest Iceland since late October?
Answer: (d) More than 20,000
6. What is the depth of the magma tunnel extending across Grindavík?
Answer: (a) Less than 800 meters
7. What landmark was closed due to increased seismic activity?
Answer: (b) Blue Lagoon
8. What is the current state of emergency declared by the Icelandic Meteorological Office?
Answer: (c) Significant risk of eruption
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. There is an active 15km-long river of magma under the Reykjanes peninsula. (Answer: True)
2. Experts believe that an eruption could occur at any time in the next few days. (Answer: True)
3. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has declared a state of emergency. (Answer: True)
4. The town of Grindavík has not been evacuated as a precautionary measure. (Answer: False)
5. The decision to evacuate Grindavík was made after the possibility of a magma tunnel reaching the town was ruled out. (Answer: False)
6. Thousands of tremors have been recorded around the Fagradalsfjall volcano in recent weeks. (Answer: True)
7. The possibility of a volcanic eruption in Iceland is decreasing. (Answer: False)
8. The most likely eruption site is outside the boundaries of Grindavík. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
